PPAI announces new leadership

PPAI recently announced on its website the organization’s next staff leader Drew Holmgreen as president and CEO. Holmgreen joins from Meeting Professionals International, where he served as chief experience officer.

Holmgreen will succeed Dawn Olds, who served as interim president and CEO of PPAI since July 2024, when the board instituted a transition plan following the three-year leadership term of Dale Denham.

Holmgreen’s start date will be Jan. 10, and he will be present and involved at The PPAI Expo 2025.

“I am truly honored to join and lead PPAI, an organization with a 121-year legacy of excellence and innovation in the promotional products industry,” said Holmgreen to PPAI. “This industry and its community thrive on creating moments of connection and joy, and I’m excited to work alongside the talented PPAI team, its members, and partners to build on this strong foundation.”

He continued, “Together, we’ll elevate the role of promotional products as an essential part of the global marketing mix and continue driving forward the creativity, impact, and joy that define this industry.”

In his role at MPI, Holmgreen managed global strategies, enhanced member experiences, and drove significant revenue growth. He also served as MPI’s equity, diversity, and inclusion (DEI) executive lead, embedding DEI principles into the organization and its community’s strategies and operations, fostering a culture of inclusivity, and creating initiatives that support equity across the industry.

According to PPAI, Andrew Spellman, CAS, chair of the PPAI board of directors and vice president of corporate markets for Therabody, notified PPAI staff and members of the decision.

“Drew is a visionary leader with a deep understanding of the dynamics of member-driven organizations,” stated Spellman to PPAI. “His experience and passion for innovation make him uniquely suited to lead PPAI and create value for our members and the industry as a whole.”

“Drew’s unique blend of marketing agency leadership, association leadership, and promotional products experience makes him an ideal CEO for PPAI,” remarked Taschereau, the CEO of Canadian distributor Fairware, to PPAI. “The Board was seeking a candidate who could drive even greater PPAI member value by implementing ideas from other best-in-class associations, elevating The PPAI Expo, and articulating a vision to extend the promotional products industry’s reach in the broader marketing ecosystem. The PPAI Board is confident Drew will do a terrific job for the association and the industry.”